1911 Census

Lord Skidelsky: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Lord Chancellor has responded to the letter of 23 April from the chairman of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee requesting him to open the 1911 census for England and Wales next year; and whether they will publish the relevant correspondence between the Lord Chancellor and the chairman.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The letter of 23 April from the chairman of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee to the Lord Chancellor was replied to on 27 April 2001. The reply informed the chairman that his letter had been transferred to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, as she is responsible for the census. It is not customary to publish such correspondence.

Community Service and Probation Orders: Arrests for Breaches

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many arrests for breaching community service and probation orders remain outstanding; and how many warrants have been withdrawn for criminals who have avoided arrest for more than one year.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: Lead responsibility for execution of community penalty breach warrants was transferred from the police to Magistrates' Courts Committees on 1 April 2001. Prior to the transfer, statistics on numbers of outstanding warrants or withdrawn warrants were not routinely kept. LCD is now collecting data but complete figures are not yet available. Based on information available at 28 November, 8,757 community penalty breach warrants were issued between 1 April 2001 and 31 August 2001. Of these, 4,612 were outstanding (not executed or withdrawn) on 28 September 2001.

Northern Ireland: Crowd Control Policing

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will stop stating that plastic baton rounds are used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (incorporating the Royal Ulster Constabulary) for crowd control purposes, despite statements by the Chief Constable to the contrary.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has made clear that baton rounds are never used for crowd control purposes. How this is reflected in statements made by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a matter for the commission itself. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Meetings with Ministers

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which Ministers of the Northern Ireland Office have met the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission since June; what were the agendas for any such meetings; and what decisions resulted.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Secretary of State has had no meetings with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission since June. Des Browne met with Brice Dickson on 19 September. This was purely a courtesy call, there was no agenda and no specific decisions were reached at this meeting. Jane Kennedy met with Brice Dickson and some members of the commission on 31 October. The meeting was to discuss the Holy Cross dispute, and no specific decisions were reached at this meeting. A further meeting took place on the 19 November, when Des Browne informed Brice Dickson of the Government's decision about new appointments to the commission and the reappointment of existing members.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Membership

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Angela Hegarty from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; by how many new members; and whether the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland informed the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission that the vacancy created by Angela Hegarty's resignation would be filled by the end of September 2001.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced on Thursday 22 November, his decision to appoint four new members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. These appointments resulted from an open competition launched in February. No fixed timetable had been set for the conclusion of the process. During a meeting in September, Ministers had advised the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission that an announcement was unlikely to be made before the end of September, but no specific timescale was discussed.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Membership

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have asked the present commissioners of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission if they wish to be reappointed; if so, when; and why there have been no advertisements which would allow members of the public to apply to be commissioners.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: All members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, including the Chief Commissioner were written to in August. The letter asked if they wished to be reappointed as commission members but stressed this was an administrative inquiry only, and was not to be construed as a guarantee of reappointment.
	Advertisements appeared in the press in February, inviting members of the public to apply for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. A full and open appointment process has since taken place, and the successful applicants were announced by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on Thursday 22 November.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Membership

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the procedure to be used in the selection of members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and whether they will undertake to ensure that the members will reflect all aspects of society in the Province.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Appointments to NIHRC are made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Dame Rennie Fritchie, and the legislative provisions governing the process, including Section 68(3) and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
	Following an open competition launched earlier this year, the Secretary of State announced the appointments of four new commissioners. The Secretary of State, is satisfied that he has discharged his duty to secure, so far as possible, that the commissioners as a group are representative of the community in Northern Ireland.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Recruitment

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether an equivalent number of Protestant applicants into the new Police Service of Northern Ireland would have to be removed from training if a number of Roman Catholic recruits were to withdraw from the service during their period of training; and if so, what criteria are used to select those Protestant trainees.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000, the Chief Constable is required to appoint police trainees from the pool of qualified candidates on a 50 per cent Roman Catholic, 50 per cent non-Roman Catholic basis. The 50:50 requirement applies only to the appointment of recruits. It does not apply after police trainees have taken their place on the training course.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Recruitment

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12 November (WA 52) concerning applications to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary in February, whether any of the tests were waived or postponed for some or all of the applicants in addition to those exempted by having passed the Home Office initial recruitment test.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: With the exception of those who had previously passed the Home Office initial recruitment test, all candidates underwent the same selection procedure. As candidates are required to be certified medically fit before undergoing the physical competence assessment, any candidates who failed their medical examination, and subsequently appealed the decision of the medical examiner, had their physical competence assessments postponed pending the outcome of those appeals.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: New Service Badge

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is still their policy, as outlined by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 19 January 2000, that a new service badge will be introduced for the Police Service of Northern Ireland after the new Policing Board has had a chance to address this issue.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Yes. Section 54 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 provides for the Secretary of State to make regulations as to emblems and flags. Before making any regulations under that section, the Secretary of State shall consult the Board, the Chief Constable, the Police Association and any other person or body appearing to him to have an interest in the matter. That consultation period started on 19 November. When the consultation has finished, the Secretary of State will lay the regulations before Parliament.

House of Lords: Medical Services for Members

Lord Jopling: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	What progress has been made to provide medical services for members of the House of Lords which are comparable to those already available in the House of Commons

Lord Brabazon of Tara: As the Chairman of Committees stated in his answer of 24 April 2001 (WA 222), the only difference in the medical services provided to Members of the two Houses is that Members of the Commons have access to a free health screening service every three years. The House has agreed that a similar service be made available to Members of this House next year. Negotiations are in progress to extend the medical contract with St Thomas' Hospital, which provides the screening service to the House of Commons, so as to include provision for Members of this House. The target date for the introduction of the new screening service is 1 April 2002.

Palace of Westminster: Acoustics

Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	What steps he is planning to take to improve the acoustics of rooms in the Palace of Westminster which are used for briefings and consultations.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: The acoustics of Committee Rooms and meeting rooms within the House of Lords are kept under constant review. Committee Rooms 1, 2 3 and 4 have recently been refurbished, and each room now has a modern sound raising system including induction loops. Committee Room G also has provision for sound amplification. Refurbishment is planned for Committee Rooms 3A and 4B, and permanent sound systems will then be provided. The Moses Room acoustics have been studied by the BBC and modifications have been made in accordance with its recommendations. It is unlikely that further improvements can be achieved there.
	The other House of Lords' meeting rooms in the Palace do not have sound systems installed. Most of the rooms are small and do not appear to need them. However, Peers may, at any time, contact Mr Robert Jelley (extension 6049) to request the services of Westminster Sound in providing sound raising for specific meetings.

Hong Kong: Anti-Discrimination Legislation

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to their six-monthly report on Hong Kong January-June 2001 (July 2001), whether they will continue to encourage the Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government to meet the criticism made by the United Nations Human Rights Committee by introducing a measure to prohibit racial discrimination in the private sector and discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and age, and to establish a human rights institution or adequate alternative arrangements for the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights.

Baroness Amos: We continue to take a close interest in the extent to which the rights and freedoms promised by the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law are upheld in Hong Kong. We have raised the issue of racial discrimination with the Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, including most recently with Donald Tsang, Chief Secretary for Administration on 20 November. We have made clear that the UK experience is that legislation is an important—though not alone sufficient—part of the process of combating racism. The SAR Government's attitude to legislation is not closed. They are currently conducting further consultation in the community about the desirability of legislation.
	We understand that the SAR Government currently have no plans to introduce legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and age, or to establish a human rights institution.

Egypt: Representations about Nightclub Arrest

Baroness Ludford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations from (a) officials and (b) Ministers have been made to the Egyptian Government in each month since May regarding the arrest on Friday 11 May of 52 men aboard a floating nightclub on the Nile; on what date and in what form each representation was made; how many representations the Government have received with regard to this matter from the general public; and what reply has been obtained from the Egyptian Government.

Baroness Amos: We remain concerned about this case and have followed its course very closely. We are particularly concerned that the men were tried in a state security emergency court. A representative of our embassy in Cairo attended the trial, and was present at the sentencing on 15 November. Our embassy has regularly spoken to Egyptian Goverment officials about the case and have made representations at a senior level since the verdict was announced. Ben Bradshaw, the Minister responsible for relations with Egypt, raised the case here with the Egyptian Ambassador on 17 July and in Egypt with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 19 July. We have also reported EU representations. Following the sentencing of 23 of the defendants, the EU troika made a demarche in Cairo on 22 November. The Egyptian authorities have replied that the men were charged with a criminal offence, under the Prostitution Law and that the trial process was a fair one. We have received approximately 20 representations from the general public about this case.

British Overseas Territories Bill

The Earl of Mar and Kellie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the British Overseas Territories Bill will give any right of residence in the overseas territories to British citizens.

Baroness Amos: The Bill will give no right of residence in the overseas territories to British citizens. The grant of British citizenship, and the right of abode which flows from it, is non-reciprocal.

Iran: Human Rights

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that their policy of constructive engagements and dialogue with Iran has been able to decrease the numbers of:
	(a) executions (including the hanging of women in public);
	(b) public floggings; and
	(c) confiscations of satellite dishes and receivers.

Baroness Amos: Since the election of the reformist government of President Khatami in 1997, and the EU and UK's consequent constructive engagement with Iran, much progress has been made towards President Khatami's stated aim of an Islamic civil society based on the rule of law. As the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran said in his report of 10 August, there are signs that the incorporation of human rights values into Iranian society is proceeding at an accelerating rate.
	However, in part as a result of the complex internal political situation, in some areas, such as those mentioned by the Noble Lord, the situation has deteriorated in recent months. We and our EU partners continue to press the Iranian authorities to address these outstanding issues, including through our sponsorship of regular UN resolutions on the human rights situation in Iran. The Foreign Secretary most recently raised our concerns with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran on 25 September.

FCO: Departmental Expenditure Limit and Administration Costs Limit

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there are any plans to change the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's departmental expenditure limit (DEL) and administration costs limit for 2001–02.

Baroness Amos: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's departmental expenditure limit (DEL) will be decreased by £3,206,000 from £1,365,910,000 to £1,362,704,000 and the administration costs limit will be decreased by £960,000 from £635,558,000 to £634,598,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the following table:
	
		£000s 
		
			 Resources Capital 
			 Change New DEL Of which: Voted Non-voted Change New DEL Of which: Voted Non-voted 
			 2,416 1,236,138 1,067,237 168,901 790 126,566 103,066 23,500 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:
	1. A reduction of £960,000 in the FCO's administration cost limit as a result of a PES (Public Expenditure Survey) transfer to the DTI, relating to funding arrangements for British Trade International.
	2. A PES transfer of £886,000 to the Cabinet Office relating to funding arrangements for the BBC Monitoring Service.
	3. A PES transfer of £570,000 to DfID to reflect funding arrangements for a refurbishment project.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from a PES transfer of £790,000 to the DTI relating to funding arrangements for British Trade International.
	The decreases are offset by interdepartmental transfers and will not impact on the planned total of public expenditure.

Judicial Review

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What previous attempts have been made to restrict the right to judicial review by parliamentary statute; and what have been the results of such attempts.[HL873] The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker): There are numerous examples of statutory provisions which prevent review by the courts to a greater or lesser extent and it is not possible to provide a comprehensive list.
	Such provisions vary enormously depending on the context in which they appear. For example, a statute may provide that a certificate by the Secretary of State shall be conclusive evidence of the matters contained therein. Alternatively, it may provide that a particular decision shall be final or conclusive or that it shall not be questioned in any court. In many cases, an alternative review process is provided for.
	Many of the statutory provisions in question have not been tested in the courts. Some of those that have been tested have been held not to prevent review (sometimes a limited review) by the courts.
	Terrorism Act 2000: Extradition Warrants

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will name the 10 people referred to in the Official Report on 14 November (HL Deb, col. 564) who are subject to extradition warrants.

Lord Rooker: It is not the policy or practice to list the names of those who are the subject of extradition proceedings.

Detention Centre Rules 2001

Baroness Williams of Crosby: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Detention Centre Rules, which became law in April, will be implemented at Tinsley House, the detention centre for Gatwick Airport.

Lord Rooker: The Detention Centre Rules 2001 (SI 2001 No. 238) came into force on 2 April 2001 at all designated detention centres, including Tinsley House.

Detention Centre Rules 2001

Baroness Williams of Crosby: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the document promised in Rule 4(1) of the Detention Centre Rules, setting out the responsibilities and rights of detainees and their proper channels for request and complaints, will be issued.

Lord Rooker: The document referred to was issued in accordance with Rule 4(1) of the Detention Centre Rules 2001 (SI 2001 No 238) on 2 April 2001.

United States National Missile Defence Policy

Lord Jenkins of Putney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will refuse permission to the United States Government to develop radar facilities in this country to enable the use of their national missile defence policy.

Lord Bach: The US Administration have not yet decided what sort of missile defence system they will ultimately seek to deploy and have made no formal request to Her Majesty's Government for the use of facilities in the UK for missile defence purposes. It therefore remains premature to indicate how we would respond to any specific request. We have, however, made clear that we would wish to be helpful to our closest ally.

Britannia Royal Naval College: Uniform Procurement

Lord Carlile of Berriew: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any proposals to shorten the delay in providing new entrants to the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth with the full range of equipment desirable for them to perform their duties fully.

Lord Bach: There are concerns about the shortages of uniform clothing for young officer entrants to the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. The shortage of items are: the tricorn hats worn by female officers, oversize (size 13+) shoes, berets, caps and cap badges.
	Uniform items are procured through the Defence Textiles and Clothing (Integrated Project Team (DCT (IPT)) which is dependent on sole suppliers for certain items, especially the more traditional ones.
	Alternative methods of fulfilling the requirements placed upon the DCT (IPT) have been explored and, to that end, three contracts have been put in place to meet the demands for cap badges. A contract to supply outsize shoes will start to deliver in January 2002, in time for the January intake of new entrants and suppliers are now meeting the demand for tricorn hats, caps and berets.

War Pensions and Allowances

Baroness Nicol: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the new rates of war pensions and allowances proposed to be introduced from April 2002.

Lord Bach: The information requested is set out in the table below. The annual uprating of war pensions and allowances for 2002 will take place from the week beginning 8 April.
	
		War Pensions Rates -- (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)
		
			  Rates 2001 Rates 2002 
			 Disablement Pension (100 per cent rates) 
			 Officer (£ per annum) 6,251.00 6,356.00 
			 Other ranks 119.80 121.80 
			  
			 Age Allowances 
			 40 per cent–50 per cent 8.00 8.15 
			 over 50 per cent but not over 70 per cent 12.35 12.55 
			 over 70 per cent but not over 90 per cent 17.55 17.85 
			 over 90 per cent 24.70 25.10 
			  
			 Disablement gratuity 
			 Specified minor injury (min) 762.00 775.00 
			 Specified minor injury (max) 5,695.00 5,792.00 
			 Unspecified minor injury (min) 316.00 321.00 
			 Unspecified minor injury (max) 7,406.00 7,532.00 
			  
			 Unemployability allowance 
			 Personal 74.00 75.25 
			 Adult dependency increase 41.75 42.45 
			 Increase for first child 9.70 9.85 
			 Increase for subsequent children 11.35 11.55 
			  
			 Invalidity allowance 
			 Higher rate 14.65 14.90 
			 Middle rate 9.30 9.50 
			 Lower rate 4.65 4.75 
			 Constant attendance allowance 
			 Exception rate 90.40 92.00 
			 Intermediate rate 67.80 69.00 
			 Full day rate 45.20 46.00 
			 Part day rate 22.60 23.00 
			  
			 Comforts allowance 
			 Higher rate 19.40 19.70 
			 Lower rate 9.70 9.85 
			  
			 Mobility supplement 43.10 43.85 
			  
			 Allowance for lowered standard of  occupation (maximum) 45.16 45.92 
			  
			 Exceptionally severe disablement  allowance 45.20 46.00 
			  
			 Severe disablement occupational  allowance 22.60 23.00 
			  
			 Clothing allowance (£ per annum) 154.00 157.00 
			  
			 Education allowance (£ per annum) (max) 120.00 120.00 
			  
			 War widow's pension 
			 Widow (private) 90.45 92.00 
			 Widow (NCO) 90.75 92.30 
			 Widow—officer (£ pa max) 5,594.00 5,689.00 
			 Childless widow u-40 (private) 21.75 22.12 
			 Childless widow u-40 (NCO) 21.75 22.12 
			 Childless widow (Officer max £s pa) 5,594.00 5,689.00 
			  
			 Supplementary Pension 58.95 59.95 
			  
			 Age allowance 
			 (a) age 65 to 69 10.35 10.55 
			 (b) age 65 to 69 19.85 20.20 
			 (c) age 80 and over 29.55 30.05 
			  
			 Children's allowance 
			 Increase for first child 14.30 14.55 
			 Increase for subsequent children 15.95 16.20 
			  
			 Orphan's pension 
			 Increase for first child 16.20 16.50 
			 Increase for subsequent children 17.85 18.15 
			  
			 Unmarried dependant living as spouse  (max) 88.40 89.95 
			  
			 Rent allowance (maximum) 34.20 34.80 
			  
			 Adult orphan's pension (maximum) 69.75 70.95 
			  
			 Widower's pension 
			 Private (max) 90.45 92.00 
			 Officer (£ per annum) max 5,594.00 5,689.00

European Parliamentary Elections 2004: Gibraltarians' Franchise

Lord Grenfell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to ensure that Gibraltarians can vote in the 2004 elections to the European Parliament.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We unequivocally accept the obligation to give effect to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Matthews v UK and we are committed to extending the European franchise in time for the 2004 elections to the European Parliament. To this end, we will be seeking legislative time in order to bring in the necessary domestic legislation. We will, of course, consult the Government of Gibraltar on the legislative and practical details.

ECHR: Report of Evaluation Group

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they agree with the report of the Evaluation Group to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the European Court of Human Rights, of 27 September, that Ximmediate action is indispensable" if the European Court of Human Rights is Xto remain effective and retain its credibility and authority"; and if so, whether they will support such action.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: HMG welcome the Evaluation Group's report and agrees with its contention that immediate action is required to protect the Court's effectiveness. We are therefore pleased that many of the report's recommendations, in particular those about Court processes, are already being acted upon. As for those requiring action by the governments of Council of Europe member states, HMG are currently carrying out an internal and external consultation process before finalising their position on these recommendations.
	We recognise the thoroughness of the internal auditor's contribution to the report and are content to accept this as a basis for planning.
	The report does not seek responses by individual member states. We are already addressing the report's recommendations collectively with out Council of Europe partners through the Committee of Ministers. Work has been allocated to various specialist groups within the Council of Europe in which the UK is playing a full part. Once our national consultation process is complete, we will make our conclusions known to interested parties in good time for the report back to the Council of Europe Ministerial in November 2002.

ECHR: Report of Evaluation Group

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider the projections made by the Council of Europe's internal auditor, referred to in the report of the Evaluation Group to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the European Court of Human Rights, of 27 September, to be reliable.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: HMG welcome the Evaluation Group's report and agree with its contention that immediate action is required to protect the Court's effectiveness. We are therefore pleased that many of the report's recommendations, in particular those about Court processes, are already being acted upon. As for those requiring action by the governments of Council of Europe member states, HMG are currently carrying out an internal and external consultation process before finalising their position on these recommendations.
	We recognise the thoroughness of the internal auditor's contribution to the report and are content to accept this as a basis for planning.
	The report does not seek responses by individual member states. We are already addressing the report's recommendations collectively with our Council of Europe partners through the Committee of Ministers. Work has been allocated to various specialist groups within the Council of Europe in which the UK is playing a full part. Once our national consultation process is complete, we will make our conclusions known to interested parties in good time for the report back to the Council of Europe Ministerial in November 2002.

ECHR: Report of Evaluation Group

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish their response to the Report of the Evaluation Group to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the European Court of Human Rights, of 27th September.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: HMG welcome the Evaluation Group's report and agree with its contention that immediate action is required to protect the Court's effectiveness. We are therefore pleased that many of the report's recommendations, in particular those about Court processes, are already being acted upon. As for those requiring action by the governments of Council of Europe member states, HMG are currently carrying out an internal and external consultation process before finalising their position on these recommendations.
	We recognise the thoroughness of the internal auditor's contribution to the report and are content to accept this as a basis for planning.
	The report does not seek responses by individual member states. We are already addressing the report's recommendations collectively with our Council of Europe partners through the Committee of Ministers. Work has been allocated to various specialist groups within the Council of Europe in which the UK is playing a full part. Once our national consultation process is complete, we will make our conclusions known to interested parties in good time for the report back to the Council of Europe Ministerial in November 2002.

Animal Disease Prevention: UK Veterinary Services

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they took following the warning from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations on 22 September 2000 that Xwithout effective veterinary service animal disease could spread globally"; and
	Whether they believe the staff and resources in the United Kingdom veterinary service concerned with disease prevention were adequate to respond to the situation highlighted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Lord Whitty: FAO press release 00/54 quoted a senior FOA animal health expert who said that veterinary surveillance systems and services are vital to detect these [transboundary animal] diseases early enough and to prepare contingency plans to contain those outbreaks. The United Kingdom is fortunate to be served by a professional and effective State Veterinary Service. Before the outbreak there was a contingency plan for foot and mouth disease (and other animal diseases). The plan was submitted to the European Union in 1993 and has been updated as necessary since then.
	It has to be recognised that the size and scale of the foot and mouth outbreak is unprecedented. The question of how well the outbreak was handled is one which the independent inquiry chaired by Dr Iain Anderson will wish to consider.

Energy Crops

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 16 November (WA 108), why it has taken over 12 months to spend or commit only one-seventieth of the £30 million allocated in October 2000 to the Energy Crops Scheme.

Lord Whitty: Energy Crops Scheme applicants must show that they have a prospective market for their crop and the low level of expenditure reflects slower than expected progress with biomass-fuelled projects supported under the non-fossil fuel obligation. The Government have now allocated over £70 million of funding for market development and we are working closely with government departments and other bodies to develop opportunities in power generation, combined heat and power and heat applications. We expect this to lead to a significant increase in uptake.

DEFRA: Devon Foot and Mouth Inquiry

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs did not give evidence to the Devon foot and mouth inquiry.

Lord Whitty: DEFRA co-operated with the Devon County Council inquiry.
	To minimise additional burdens on staff actively engaged in fighting the disease, the department responded to a number of questions in writing.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: Appeals Inspectors

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who they are engaging to conduct appeals in relation to the provisional maps issued under Section 11 of Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; whether the appeals inspectors will be engaged part-time or full-time on this work; how many inspectors they expect will be engaged in this work; and what provisions they are making for appropriate training.

Lord Whitty: The administration of appeals under Part I of the Act will be undertaken by the Planning Inspectorate whose inspectors will be appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to determine appeals, unless the Secretary of State chooses to do so herself. Posts as access inspectors will be offered on both a full-time and part-time basis. At this stage we do not know how many appeals under Section 11 there wil be but we estimate that around 50 inspectors will be needed initially. These are working assumptions and may be amended in the light of experience. All inspectors will receive full training but the details have yet to be finalised.

Special Advisers

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will list the names of all those that they have appointed since May 1997 to ad hoc posts or positions bearing the names of XAdvocate", XAdviser", XChampion", XEnvoy", XTsar" and similar titles; whether or not in each case they are paid, and, if they are, stating the amounts paid; and to whom they are accountable.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: At 26 November, Ministers had appointed the the following special advisers:
	
		
			   
			 The Prime Minister(1) Jonathan Powell 
			  Alastair Campbell 
			  Sally Morgan 
			  Hilary Coffman 
			  Peter Hyman 
			  Geoff Norris 
			  Roger Liddle 
			  Andrew Adonis 
			  Katie Kay 
			  Derek Scott 
			  David Bradshaw 
			  Kate Garvey 
			  Catherine Rimmer 
			  Liz Lloyd 
			  Carl Shoben 
			  Chris McShane 
			  Simon Stevens 
			  Ed Richards 
			  Carey Oppenheim 
			  Fiona Millar 
			  Phil Bassett 
			  Justin Russell 
			  Alasdair McGowan 
			  Joanna Nadin 
			  Patrick Diamond 
			  Sarah Hunter 
			 Chief Whip (Commons) Sue Jackson 
			  Fiona Gordon 
			 Chief Whip (Lords) Margaret Ounsley 
			 Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Bill Bush Ruth Mackenzie 
			   
			 Secretary of State for Defence Richard Taylor Andrew Hood 
			 Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State Joan Hammell Ian McKenzie Anna Healy—p/t Paul Hackett—p/t 
			 Secretary of State for Education and Skills Will Cavendish Chris Boffey 
			   
			 Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sheila Watson Nicci Collins 
			   
			 Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Ed Owen Michael Williams 
			   
			 Secretary of State for Health Darren Murphy 
			  Paul Corrigan 
			 Secretary of State for the Home Department(2) Sophie Linden—p/t Nick Pearce Katherine Raymond Huw Evans 
			 Leader of the House of Lords Matthew Seward 
			  Deborah Lincoln 
			 Lord Chancellor Garry Hart 
			 Secretary of State for International Development David Mepham Susannah Cox 
			   
			 Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Richard Olszewski Steve Bates 
			   
			 President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons Greg Power Meg Russell 
			   
			 Secretary of State for Scotland Nick Comfort 
			  George McGregor 
			 Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Jim Godfrey Roger Sharp—p/t and unpaid Kitty Ussher 
			   
			 Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions Jo Moore–p/t Dan Corry Michael Dugher 
			   
			   
			 Chancellor of the Exchequer 3 Ed Balls Chief Economic Adviser Ian Austin 
			  Ed Miliband 
			 Chief Secretary Nicola Murphy 
			  Spencer Livermore 
			 Secretary of State for Wales Andrew Bold 
			  Adrian McMenaman 
			 Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Andre Maugham Kieran Simpson 
			   
		
	
	(1) In addition Pat McFadden has been appointed as a special adviser on a short-term contract in the Coalition Information Centre in Islamabad. (2) In addition, Keith Hellawell has been appointed, on special adviser terms, in an advisory role on international drug issues. (3) In addition, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has appointed Paul Gregg, Maeve Sherlock, Shriti Vadera, Chris Wales and Stewart Wood to the Council of Economic Advisers on Special Adviser terms. With the exception of one special adviser, all of the above are paid appointments. Under exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, details of individual salaries are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned. The Prime Minister has appointed independent advisers to work with the new Forward Strategy Unit (FSU). These roles are unpaid. Those appointed are:
	Arnab Banerji—Chief Investment Office of F&C Management Ltd.;
	Nick Lovegrove—Partner at McKinsey's;
	Penny Hughes—formerly President of Coca Cola Great Britain and Ireland, currently non-executive director of Vodafone plc and Trinity Mirror plc;
	Adair Turner—Vice Chairman of Merrill Lynch.
	Lord Birt, the Prime Minister's unpaid strategy adviser, will have an overarching role on a number of projects supported by the FSU.
	In addition, Ministers have appointed the following unpaid advisers:
	
		
			   
			 Chancellor of the Exchequer: Sue Nye 
			 Leader of the Commons and President of the Council: David Mathieson 
		
	
	As far as I am aware, the only civil servant with a title of the names described is Andrew Pinder, who is the e-envoy.
	All the appointees listed above are accountable to Ministers for their decisions and actions.
	On public appointments, Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency, also acts as Rural Advocate. He is not paid for the latter appointment. Up-to-date information on appointments to non-departmental public bodies will shortly be available in the annual public bodies publication. For details of appointments made to task forces, review groups and other ad hoc advisory groups, I refer the noble Lord to the Answers given to the House on 20 November (Official Report, col. WA 137).

Special Advisers

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 22 October (WA 113), what are the criteria for exceptions to the rule of two special advisers per Cabinet Minister and for the Prime Minister.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: I have nothing further to add to my previous answer.

Senior Civil Service: Diversity

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the most up-to-date numbers and percentages of full-time senior civil servants by gender, disability, age-bands, race and ethnicity; and what progress they have made towards achieving equality targets set across different departments of state.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Civil Service diversity figures for April 2001 were published by press notice on 8 November 2001. These show that:
	2.4 per cent of staff at Senior Civil Service level are from a minority ethnic background, up from 1.6 per cent in April 1998. The target for 2004-05 is 3.2 per cent.
	2.0 per cent of staff at Senior Civil Service level are disabled, up from 1.5 per cent in April 1998. The target for 2004-05 is 3.0 per cent.
	In addition, Cabinet Office figures show that the proportion of women in the Senior Civil Service is increasing:
	24.2 per cent of the Senior Civil Service are women, up from 17.8 per cent in April 1998. The target for 2004-05 is 35 per cent.
	20.2 per cent of those in the very top posts are women, up from 12.7 per cent in April 1998. The target for 2004-05 is 25 per cent.
	A separate press notice on Civil Service staffing figures was published on the same day and includes data on specific departments. I shall arrange for a copy of both press notices to be sent to the noble Lord.
	Sir Richard Wilson's annual report to the Prime Minister on progress on diversity in 2000-01 highlighted a range of action taking place to ensure that the Civil Service accelerates progress on tackling under-representation.
	(i) the Cabinet Office has launched XPathways" a central development programme targeted at minority ethnic staff with potential to rise to senior levels;
	(ii) the number of successful candidates for the Fast Stream scheme from minority ethnic backgrounds has doubled from 3.4 per cent in 1998 to 6.8 per cent in 2000; (iii) the Cabinet Office has launched a scheme pairing junior women with senior women from across the Civil Service to help each other with their development. The information requested specifically for full-time civil servants at senior levels is given in the table below. No targets have been set for age.
	
		Table: Full-time Senior Civil Service level by gender, ethnicity, disability status and ageband
		
			  Numbers Per cent 
			 Male 2,599 78.6 
			  
			 Female 708 21.4 
			  
			 Minority ethnic staff 76 2.3 
			  
			 Disabled 54 1.6 
			  
			 Age band   
			  
			 20–24 1 0.0 
			 25–29 11 0.3 
			 30–34 59 1.8 
			 35–39 222 6.7 
			 40–44 462 14.0 
			 45–49 815 24.6 
			 50–54 1,099 33.2 
			 55–59 580 17.5 
			 60–65 58 1.8 
			 Total 3,307 100.0 
		
	
	Source: Mandate
	Figures quoted are for Senior Civil Service level. This includes the Senior Civil Service itself, senior Diplomatic Service personnel and includes some senior specialist staff not in the Senior Civil Service.

Prime Minister's Office: Baroness Morgan of Huyton

The Earl of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Baroness Morgan of Huyton is being given a contract as a special adviser in connection with her duties in the Prime Minister's office; and
	What post the Baroness Morgan of Huyton will occupy within the Prime Minister's office; and
	Whether the Baroness Morgan of Huyton will be subject to the direction of Mr Alastair Campbell in connection with her duties in the Prime Minister's office; and
	Whether the Baroness Morgan of Huyton will be subject to the direction of Mr Jonathan Powell in connection with her duties in the Prime Minister's office.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The noble Baroness, Lady Morgan, is appointed as the Director of Political and Government relations. She is employed as a special adviser under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Baroness Morgan provides advice to the Prime Minister on a range of topics including equality issues and relations with the devolved administrations and overseas governments. She also has responsibility for the Prime Minister's schedule, external events and correspondence. In undertaking these duties, she works alongside other special advisers in No. 10. She is not managed by either Jonathan Powell or Alastair Campbell.

Prime Minister's Office: Baroness Morgan of Huyton

The Earl of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Baroness Morgan of Huyton will have authority within the Prime Minister's office to give instructions to civil servants.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: No.

Millennium Dome: Payments

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish in the Official Report a table showing separately each payment made by the Millennium Commission to the New Millennium Experience Company for purposes connected with the Millennium Dome showing in respect of each payment the amount (together with a cumulative total of the sums paid), the date payment was requested by the company, the date payment was authorised by the commission, the date payment was made and the purpose for which the payment was made.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: A table showing details of payments made by the Millennium Commission to the New Millennium Experience Company has been placed in the Library of the House.

Millennium Dome: Payments

Lord Northbrook: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What payments, if any, have been made by English Partnerships to Cardew & Co in relation to public relations work for the Millennium Dome.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: None.

Structure Planning

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in their review of the arrangements for structure planning, they will ensure that major decisions on such matters as green belts, minerals extraction and transport are made at county level or at the level of regional government (where established) so that all the issues raised are taken into account.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State will be publishing a Green Paper shortly setting out proposals for reforming the planning system. The Green Paper will review the current hierarchy for the preparation of plans at regional, county and local levels.

Heathrow Airport: Flights from Inverness

The Earl of Mar and Kellie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the planning permission, just granted for Heathrow Terminal Five, guarantees in any way that flights from Inverness Airport to London will land at Heathrow.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The granting of planning permission for Terminal Five did not deal with the question of slot allocation or regulation.

Rent Restructuring

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in view of the complexity of the changes to be made under the rent restructuring proposals for local authorities together with the need for adequate consultation with tenants, they will delay implementation for 12 months.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: No; rent restructuring is to start in April 2002. Local authorities have known since December 2000 what kind of changes would be required. We recognise that the computer systems used by some local authorties limit their ability to apply different rent changes to different properties next April. I am advising those authorities that for 2002-03 they should apply the average percentage rent change suggested in our restructuring proposals for their stock to all of their rents except where this might involve breaches of the RPI + 0.5 per cent + £2 limit, or the maximum rents announced in my Answer on 26 November, (Official Report, WA 10-12). The subsidy system will not penalise authorities for not implementing the reforms at an individual property level.

Pupils: Reintegration

Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What they are doing to ensure that boys who have dropped out of school, or been excluded, receive the full-time education they need and the motivation to make the best of it.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government have asked local education authorities to ensure that by September 2002 all pupils who have dropped out of school, or have been excluded, receive full-time education.
	I expect that permanently excluded pupils should rejoin a mainstream or special school within days or weeks of exclusion. Rapid reintegration is particularly important for excluded primary pupils and I expect that most of these pupils would be reintegrated within one term. Conversely, for pupils approaching the end of compulsory schooling, a return to school may be unrealistic.
	Reintegration panels are responsible for co-ordinating services for excluded pupils. They must draw up an individual reintegration plan for each excluded child. This plan should be in place within a month of the governors upholding the exclusion and it is reviewed on a monthly basis. It should include a target date for return to school, once the school to which the child will return has been identified.

School Sport Alliance

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many times in 2001 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has hosted meetings of the School Sport Alliance; when was the last occasion when such a meeting was held; and when the recommendations made at that meeting will be published.

Baroness Blackstone: The School Sport Alliance first met in November last year. The members are the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Education and Skills, the Department of Health, the New Opportunities Fund, Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust. During 2001 it has met on five occasions, most recently on 29 November. The School Sport Alliance is a co-ordinating body which was established to take a strategic overview of developments in and around school sport and to foster synergies among programmes funded and managed by its member departments and organisations. The School Sport Alliance will hold annual open meetings to which representatives of organisations with an interest in school sport and physical education are invited. The first open meeting was held on 14 September at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The School Sport Alliance does not publish recommendations.

Social Fund Computer System

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In paragraph 39 of the reply by the Government to the Third Report of the Social Security Select Committee (Cm 5237), what is meant by the words Xenhancement to existing computer functionality".

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The words Xenhancement to existing computer functionality" refer to the fact that the quality and clarity of notification letters produced by the Social Fund computer system will be improved.

Vaccine Damage: Disability Benefits

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the rules relating to claims for disability benefits arising from vaccine damage; and under what circumstances the rules restrict consideration of claims to damage from polio vaccine only.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: People who have been disabled as a result of vaccine damage can claim disability benefits in the same way as any other disabled person, and will receive payment as long as they satisfy the conditions for payment of the relevant benefits.
	In addition to disability benefits, the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 provides for a single, tax-free payment of £100,000 for those whom the decision maker, on behalf of the Secretary of State, is satisfied are severely mentally and/or physically disabled as a result of vaccination against one of a group of specified diseases. For the purposes of the scheme a person is severely disabled if he or she suffers disablement to the extent of 80 per cent or more. Claimants are asked to give details of all the vaccinations they have been given, and on the basis of medical evidence it will be considered whether the person is severely disabled as a result of vaccination against any of the specified diseases. Except in the case of vaccination against poliomyelitis, meningitis C or rubella, the vaccination must have been carried out either at a time when the person to whom it was given was under the age of 18 or at the time of an outbreak of the disease against which the vaccination was given.

London Heart Hospital

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have for the continued operation and use of the bi-plane angiography machine in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory of the London Heart Hospital; and
	What were the strategic reasons for the purchase of the London Heart Hospital; whether other options that might have enabled the National Health Service to use the facilities of this hospital, short of outright purchase, were considered; and if so, why those options were rejected; and
	Whether the specialised treatment facilities at the London Heart Hospital can be integrated as necessary with the facilities of the University College London Hospitals Trust in a manner that fully safeguards the care of patients; and
	Whether the terms of purchase of the London Heart Hospital included the collection of fine art located therein; and
	Whether the University College London Hospitals Trust prepared a business case prior to the agreement to acquire the London Heart Hospital; and if so, whether they will publish that business case.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The London Heart Hospital was acquired by the National Health Service taking advantage of a short-term commercial opportunity which existed earlier in the year as the owners sought to dispose of the hospital, which was making significant financial losses.
	An option to lease the hospital was initially explored. However, it was understood that the parent company was on the verge of placing the hospital into administration. A judgment was made that an outright purchase represented both the best value for the NHS and the only secure way to obtain the continuing use of the facilities as a hospital available to the NHS in the short time-frame apparent before administration.
	Therefore, the opportunity was taken to significantly increase cardiac and cardiology capacity in London and the South East in a state of the art hospital which was rebuilt and equipped in 1998, and at a purchase price below the district valuer's valuation. Increasing capacity in this way provides further facilities to reduce waiting lists in the NHS. It also provides patient care in a modern hospital with outstanding patient facilities.
	The hospital has been operational as a NHS facility since 1 October when services in the Middlesex Hospital moved to the Heart Hospital.
	Sufficient evidence was gathered in the time available prior to purchase, consistent with the exceptional circumstances surrounding the opportunity for acquisition, which demonstrated the benefits of a speedy and cost-efficient purchase for the NHS.
	As a multi-site trust, University College London Hospital is accustomed to making arrangements to ensure the safety of patients who require the care of more than one clinical speciality. The safety of patients who require the care of more than one clinical speciality. The safety of patients at all its sites is the trust's highest priority.
	Prior to the transfer of cardiac services from the Middlesex Hospital site to the Heart Hospital site, revised protocols were developed to continue to provide non-cardiac patients with acccess to specialist cardiological care. A coronary care unit remains on the University College Hospital site and is attended daily by a consultant cardiologist.
	Arrangements were also put in place for non-cardiac specialist clinical staff to contribute to the care of those patients at the Heart Hospital where necessary.
	The critical care facility at the Heart Hospital is closely allied to the other critical care facilities in the trust and shares common clinical practices and rotates staff.
	The NHS acquisition of the Heart Hospital included the entire asset register. This included a number of works of art. There were 183 items and they were collectively valued on the register at £76,826. All are still at the hospital. There are no plans to move them.
	The Heart Hospital has three cardiac catheter laboratories—two monoplanes and one biplane. The biplane allows two views of the heart at right angles to be taken simultaneously, and is used for more complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. These procedures are commonly performed on congenital heart disease patients, but can also be advantageous for use in electrophysiology patients. Although the Heart Hospital, since its acquisition by the NHS, does not treat paediatric patients, it has a large congenital heart disease workload—which it is planned to extend—and also undertakes electrophysiology work. The biplane laboratory can also be used for undertaking routine cardiology procedures. The laboratory in which the biplane is situated will therefore be in constant use once the Heart Hospital is working to its full capacity.

NHS Hearing Aid Services

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will shortly make an announcement about the specific funding available to the 20 National Health Service trusts currently providing digital hearing aids under the Modernising National Health Service Hearing Aid Services Project throughout the financial year 2002-03 so as to ensure that planning and staff recruitment can be successfully maintained at these sites.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Funding decisions for 2002-03 will be made in time to allow sites to make plans for delivering services for that financial year. If the modernisation project is successful, we anticipate that by 2003-04 we will be investing up to an extra £25 million in National Health Service hearing aid services.

Haemophilia Patients

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What differences in provision for haemophilia patients now exist in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, taking into account differences in (a) entitlement according to age, (b) where the patient lives, and (c) any other relevant factors.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: In England and Northern Ireland, the policy is to provide recombinant clotting factors for new haemophilia patients and children under 16. Scotland and Wales are committed to providing recombinant products for all haemophilia patients. The Government are actively considering extending the provision of recombinant clotting factors to all haemophilia patients in England when supplies allow.
	Because of the current world shortage of recombinant clotting factors, some patients across the United Kingdom have been switched from recombinant to plasma-derived clotting factors as a temporary measure. The Department of Health is working with the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation and with industry to manage available supplies.

Haemophilia Patients

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people with haemophilia now rely on the National Health Service for their medical treatment; and
	How many haemophilia patients have now died after infection with hepatitis C by contaminated National Health Service blood products; and how many more are now (a) seriously and (b) terminally ill.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation states that around 6,000 patients with haemophilia A and B, not including patients with von Willebrand's disease and rare coagulation disorders, were registered with National Health Service haemophilia centres in 1999 (the latest year for which information is available). Only a proportion of these patients, mainly those with severe haemophilia, require treatment in any given year.
	The latest information from the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation shows that 212 people with haemophilia have died from liver disease which may be related to hepatitis C infection. Information on the number of haemophilia patients seriously and terminally ill is not available.

Haemophilia Patients

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many haemophilia patients have now died after infection with HIV by contaminated National Health Service blood products; and how many more are now (a) seriously and (b) terminally ill.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The number of haemophilia patients registered with the Macfarlane Trust who have died after infection with HIV is 821. Information on the number of haemophilia patients seriously and terminally ill is not available.

Haemophilia Patients

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimate they have made of the number of people with haemophilia whose National Health Service-prescribed treatment has included blood from donors who have since died of vCJD.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: I refer my noble friend to the reply I gave on 25 October at WA 141-42.

Haemophilia Patients

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What study the Department of Health has made of the case of the schoolboy with haemophilia, a patient at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, who was given blood from a donor who had vCJD and has since died; why the child's entitlement to recombinant factor VIII was not honoured; and with whom the responsibility lies for the distress now inflicted on the family.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: In early 1997 this child received factor VIII from a batch that included plasma from a donor who developed variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in 2000. Following guidance from the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation, the child's consultant visited the parents in January 2001 to give them this information. Counselling and support were also provided. The child has received recombinant factor VIII since may 1998 as soon as possible after National Health Service trusts were instructed by the Government to provide these products to all new patients and children under 16.

Healthcare Professionals: Right of Appeal to Judicial Committee of the Privy Council

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to introduce legislation to abolish the right of appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for members of the healthcare professions.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Provisions to do this are included in the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Bill, which was introduced on 8 November 2001.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella Immunisation

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What the measles, mumps and rubella immunisation rates have been in each of the past five years (a) in England, and (b) in London.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Information on the percentage of children immunised against measles, mumps and rubella in each of the past five years in England and London is contained in Table 3 of the Statistical Bulletin NHS Immunisation Statistics, England 2000–01. A copy of the bulletin is available in the Library and can also be found on the Department of Health Website www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0121.htm.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella Immunisation

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What incentives are provided to general practitioners to encourage measles, mumps and rubella immunisation amongst their patients.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: General Medical Services general practitioners are eligible for a higher target payment on immunising 90 per cent of all children aged two on the partnership list, and a lower target payment if they immunise 70 per cent of those children. There are equivalent targets for the pre-school booster measured from age five.
	From April 2001, the average higher target payment for childhood immunisation is £2,730; the lower target payment is £910. From April 2001 the higher target payment for the pre-school booster is £810; the lower target payment is £270.
	Personal Medical Services (PMS) general practitioners are commissioned to achieve these targets through incentives within the PMS contract.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella: Incidences

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the incidences amongst children of (a) measles, (b) mumps, and (c) rubella in each of the past five years (a) in England, and (b) in London.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Laboratory confirmed cases of measles, mumps and rubella by region and age reported to the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre of the Public Health Laboratory Service in each of the last five years are set out in the tables.
	
		Measles Data
		
			  England Data   London Data 
			  0-14 yr. 15-19 yr. 0-14 yr. 15-19 yr. 
			 1996 42 29 16 0 
			 1997 142 9 12 0 
			 1998 30 7 6 2 
			 1999 48 2 15 0 
			 2000 70 7 39 1 
		
	
	
		Mumps Data
		
			  England Data   London Data 
			  0-14 yr. 15-19 yr. 0-14 yr. 15-19 yr. 
			 1996 62 4 12 0 
			 1997 106 21 24 4 
			 1998 62 6 25 0 
			 1999 245 61 65 13 
			 2000 480 124 8 9 
		
	
	
		Rubella Data
		
			  England Data   London Data 
			  0-14 yr. 15-19 yr. 0-14 yr. 15-19 yr. 
			 1996 39 533 3 13 
			 1997 15 14 2 0 
			 1998 31 5 3 0 
			 1999 31 24 0 1 
			 2000 22 4 5 0

Human Cloning

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What response they intend to make to the resolution of the European Parliament of 14 November which stated that Xresearch activities aiming at human cloning for reproductive purposes; creation of embryos for research purposes, including somatic cell nuclear transfer; research activity resulting in a modification of the genetic heritage of human beings, which could make such changes hereditary" should not be permitted under the multinational scientific framework programme 2002–06 of the European Union; and
	Whether it is their intention to participate in the European Research Area programme (COM (2001) 94-C5-0087/2001-2001/0053(COD); and whether they subscribe to the fundamental ethical principles set out in Amendments 22, 332, 333 and 334 of Article 3 of the European Research Area framework programme.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The resolution referred to by the noble Lord deals with European Parliament amendments to the Commission proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and the Council concerning the multiannual framework programme 2002–06.
	The Government agree that research should be carried out with due regard for fundamental ethical principles. The European Parliament amendments list a number of relevant international instruments.
	The Government are aware that the October 2000 revision of the Declaration of Helsinki has already been the subject of an additional statement by the World Medical Association and may be re-examined in 2002. The amendment refers to Xrelevant WHO resolutions", which would need to be specified before the Government could comment on agreement with them. Regarding the remaining instruments, the Government subscribe to the ethical position on research set out by the instrument as a whole. It notes that Article 18.2 of the Biomedicine Convention prohibits creation of embryos for research purposes, but that Article 36 permits states to enter a reservation on the basis of law in force in its territory not being in compliance with the provision.
	The opinion of the European Parliament will be considered by the Council under the co-decision procedure. The Government expect that the United Kingdom research community will participate fully in the framework programme.

Human Cloning

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What costs from public funds have been incurred to date as a result of contesting the challenge to the use of statutory instruments to permit human embryos to be used for the purposes of experimental human cloning.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The costs to the Government have yet to be assessed. Costs of the losing party will be the subject of a detailed assessment by a cost's judge, if not agreed, at the end of the proceedings.

Autism: Costs to Community

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What research they have undertaken or commissioned on the total costs to the community of autism.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government have not commissioned research into the costs to the community of autism. The only published study in this area is The Economic Impact of Autism in Britain by Jarbrink and Knapp, sponsored by the Mental Health Foundation and the Shirley Foundation. Their paper suggests that the average additional cost per person with autism over a lifetime might be £2.4 million—the bulk of this being for living support and day activities. Statutory support for adults with autism comes predominantly from mental health and learning disability services. The total cost of these services in 1999-2000 was approximately £4,250 million and £3,000 million respectively. The proportion of each attributable to autism is not separately identified.

Adverse Drug Reactions: Autism

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether degeneration into autism is now recorded by the Medicines Control Agency as a potential adverse event after vaccination.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The United Kingdom's spontaneous adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting scheme (the Yellow Card Scheme), operated by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and Committee of Safety of Medicines, receives reports of suspected ADRs directly from doctors, dentists, coroners, pharmacists and indirectly via pharmaceutical companies. Any reported cases of autism suspected by the reporter to be associated with medicine or vaccine are routinely recorded on the MCA's ADROIT (Adverse Drug Reaction Online Information Tracking) database.

Adverse Drug Reactions: Autism

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What guidance the Department of Health has given to general practitioners and other health professions on filing Yellow Card reports to the Medicines Control Agency on degeneration into autism after vaccination, including slow degeneration after months or years.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Health professionals are requested to report all suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the newer Xblack triangle" medicines and all serious suspected ADRs to established medicines regardless of any uncertainty they may have about a casual relationship. They are also strongly encouraged to report all suspected ADRs which occur in children, regardless of whether the drug is Xblack triangle" or established. This includes any suspected ADRs associated with childhood vaccines. The guidance specifically mentions delayed effects to medicines that may manifest months or years after exposure and asks that any suspicion of such an association be reported. Guidance is included in the British National Formulary distributed to health professionals twice yearly and in the United Kingdom Health Department's memorandum Immunisation against Infectious Disease which is supplied to health professionals involved in immunisation. Guidance is also given on the Medicines Control Agency website at www.mca.gov.uk. No specific guidance has been given on reporting suspected cases of autism associated with vaccines and it is the responsibility of individual reporters to use their clinical judgement in reporting if they suspect there is an association between an adverse event and any medicine given.

Sexual Health and HIV Services

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they are intending to resource the new National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV beyond the first two years of its 10-year lifetime to enable commissions to plan and develop long-term services around local needs and trends.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have already committed £47.5 million to support initiatives in the strategy and future spending on specific activities will be set by the 2002 spending review. Securing investment at local level from main National Health Service allocations for sexual health and HIV services will be key to successful implementation of the strategy. Consultation responses are informing the development of an implementation action plan which, alongside the setting of new national targets, will facilitate this.

Long-term Care Residents

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What the level of the weekly personal expenses allowance for people living in a long-term care setting will be from April 2002; and what is the method by which the allowance will be increased annually from April 2002.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Decisions on the level of the personal expenses allowance for people in residential care for April 2002 have yet to be made.

Long-term Care Residents

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What conditions have to be met before a person in long-term care is eligible to receive National Health Service-provided continuing care; and how these differ from the conditions which have to be met to receive the highest band of free nursing care implemented on 1 October.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The responsibility for setting eligibility criteria for continuing National Health Service healthcare rests with local health authorites, working closely with their local councils. Health service local authority circulars HSC 2001/015: LAC (2001)18 on continuing care, issued in June 2001, copies of which are available in the Library, listed the key issues that health authorities should pay attention to when establishing continuing NHS healthcare criteria. A need for continuing NHS healthcare may be indicated where the nature, complexity, intensity or unpredictability of the individual's healthcare needs (and any combination of these needs) requires regular supervision by a consultant, palliative care, therapy or other NHS member of the team.
	The local conditions or criteria for continuing NHS healthcare may differ from the highest band of free nursing care because they may include services other than nursing care, whereas the highest band of free nursing care only covers nursing needs that the registered nurse contribution tool picks up following the assessment process.

Residential and Nursing Care: Funding

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people aged over state retirement age live in (a) residential care homes and (b) nursing homes, quantified by number and proportion for (i) self-funders (ii) those funded by income support and (iii) those funded by the National Health Service.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: At 31 March 2000, there were 263, 200 residential places for people aged 65 and over 1 in residential care homes and 149,600 registered nursing beds for them in nursing homes 2 in England. The number of people who are resident in residential care homes and paying for their own care is not available centrally. A survey conducted in June 2001 estimated that around 42,700 residents in general and mental nursing homes were paying wholly for their own care, but no information is collected by age.
	Information collected by health and social care consultants Laing & Buisson on the number of people in residential and nursing homes who are funded by the National Health Service is available in the company's publication, Care of Elderly People Market Survey 2001, published in July 2001.
	The numbers of income support claimants aged over state pension age and who are in residential care and nursing homes is available from the Department for Work and Pensions and shown in the table.
	1 Client group of older people and older people who are mentally infirm.
	2 General and mental nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics.
	
		Income support claimants of state pension age in residental care of nursing homes, August 2001.
		
			 Great Britain Thousands 
			  Number of cases 
			 All cases 205.5 
			 Preserved Rights Residential Care 20.6 
			 Preserved Rights Nursing Homes 12.9 
			 Residential Allowance 172.0 
		
	
	Source:
	Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry August 2001, DWP.
	Notes:
	1. Pension age claimants are defined as male over 64, female over 59.
	2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.
	3. Caseload figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and are expressed in thousands.

Residential and Nursing Care: Funding

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimate they have made of the number of people who were forced to sell their main home to pay for long-term care fees in 2000–01.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: These data are not collected centrally. Through policies announced in the NHS Plan, and implemented in 2001, the Government have made changes to the system for residential care charges that mean that people may not have to sell their homes on admission to residential care.

Intermediate Care

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much money was allocated to intermediate care in 2000–02; how it has been distributed; and what amount and proportion will be or has been spent by social services departments on social care.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Details of the funding of intermediate care and community equipment services were set out in a joint Health Service and Local Authority Circular (HSC 2001/001—LAC (2001)1) Intermediate Care, issued on 19 January 2001. A copy is available in the Library.
	Deployment of resources made available to councils through the standard spending assessment remains a decision for councils to make in the light of local circumstances.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Baroness Seccombe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total annual budget of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence; and what is the total remuneration of the institute's directors.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: According to the institute's annual report, its total funding for 2000–01 was £11,295,000. The institute is managed by a board consisting of executive directors (four) and non-executive directors (seven). The total remuneration was £422,000 which includes pension contributions.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Baroness Seccombe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which directors of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), if any, are paid over £100,000 per annum; and whether such directors are in the full-time exclusive employment of NICE.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The chief executive and the clinical director are in receipt of salaries over £100,000. Both are in the full-time, exclusive employment of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Baroness Seccombe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of the annual budget of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence was spent on staff, administration and accommodation costs in 2000–01.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: In 2000–01 the institute's accommodation costs were 11 per cent, staff costs 12 per cent and all other internal functions 12 per cent of total expenditure.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Baroness Seccombe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By what percentage the number of staff employed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence increased between April 2000 and April 2001.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The institute was established on 1 April 1999. In July 1999 it had four staff; this had risen to nine staff in April 2000 and to 29 staff in April 2001. This represents a percentage increase of 222 per cent between April 2000 and April 2001, which is in line with the institute's business plan.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Baroness Seccombe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what grounds Chelsea and Westminster National Health Service Trust took over processing of payments to creditors by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in October 2000; and whether they are satisfied with previous and current payment standards.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The institute has entered into a service level agreement with Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust for provision of its financial services. This agreement followed a tendering process and replaced the institute's previous interim arrangement with Lambeth Southwark and Lewisham Health Authority.
	The institute's 2000–01 annual report stated that since October 2000, 80 per cent of relevant bills were paid within the targets set out in The Better Payment Practice Code. The institute is taking steps to improve this performance.

Independent Healthcare Providers

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the results of the survey carried out in October of the work undertaken by independent healthcare providers for all National Health Service trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The survey returns from the National Health Service are being analysed by statisticians in the Department of Health. We expect to be able to share the results early in the new year.

NHS Information Network

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 13 November (WA 72):
	(a) what proportion of laboratories and radiology departments will be capable of sending test results by NHSnet by April 2002; and
	(b) what proportion of the total number of test results will be capable of being both sent and received by NHSnet by that date.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: All major suppliers of laboratory information systems and, where appropriate, Xmiddleware" messaging suppliers are now in the final stages of developments to meet the messaging requirements for laboratory results. Initial implementations have been completed, and incremental roll-out across other laboratories will be progressed over the next few months. It is expected that over 30 per cent will be implemented by April 2002. The target for radiology reports is 2003, and no data is yet available for this.
	Information is currently being collated from pathology and general practitioner systems suppliers on roll-out plans. This will indicate the timescales for results being both sent and received via NHSnet.

Information Management and Technology: Health Authorities' Local Implementation Strategies

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether agreed local implementation strategies for information management and technology exist for all health authorities; and how and by which organisations those strategies will be taken forward once health authorities are replaced by strategic health authorities and their functions are delegated to primary care trusts.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Local implementation strategies (LIS) exist for all local health communities for information management and technology and are based around the boundaries of current health authorities. Strategic health authorities will have the responsibility for ensuring that all National Health Service trusts and primary care trusts continue to co-operate with each other across their health communities to plan the implementation of integrated information systems. It is expected that most current LIS groups will continue within the context of strategic health authorities, although some re-configuration is possible as new NHS organisations come into being during 2002–03.

Electronic Patient Record Level 3

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 21 November (WA152), what is the status of the target set in Information for Health of 35 per cent of all acute hospitals to have implemented a level 3 electronic patient record by 2002.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We are working with each acute hospital to identify when it expects to achieve level 3 electronic patient record (EPR). We know that currently five sites have the functionality, many more have implemented significant elements. We have also approved nine business cases for EPR implementation while there are some 62 outline business cases at various stages of the approval process.
	The work being undertaken with individual trusts will show the actual progress being made against the target set in Information for Health. It will also show if that target as currently framed remains useful given developments in the NHS Plan and opportunities provided by technological innovation.

Integrated Primary Care and Community Electronic Patient Records

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made in implementing integrated primary care and community electronic patient records in health authorities; and whether they expect to meet their target of 25 per cent set in Information for Health.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The national targets set in Information for Health were revised January 2001, and are contained within Building the information Core—Implementing the NHS Plan. The revised targets are as follows:
	
		National Percentages by Date 
		
			 Integrated Primary Community Electronic Patient Record 31/3/01 31/3/02 31/3/03 31/3/04 31/3/05 
			25 50 100 
		
	
	The target of 25 per cent by 31/3/03 remains quite ambitious but following the excellent progress with Project Connect in connecting general practice to the NHSnet it remains achievable.

Nursing Staff: Retirements

Lord McColl of Dulwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many nursing staff on or above grade F retired in each of the past five years before completing 40 years' service and below the age of 60; and how many of the above had reached the age of 50.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Data is not available by either nursing grade or nursing group. The number of all qualified and unqualified nursing staff in England and Wales, who received a pension award before the age of 60, in each of the past five financial years 1997 to 2001 is set out as follows. The table also includes those who had reached age 50 when the pension award was made.
	
		
			 Financial Year Nurses under age 60 Nurses aged 50 to 59 
			 1997 5,939 4,563 
			 1998 5,482 4,401 
			 1999 5,035 4,156 
			 2000 4,877 4,020 
			 2001 4,627 4,077

Physical Activity

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are their plans to publish a national physical activity strategy; and
	What is their response to the recommendation by the National Audit Office that the Department of Health should lead the development of a new cross-government strategy to promote the health benefits of physical activity.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government recognise that there is a need to ensure that national and local programmes to promote physical activity are co-ordinated and that health outcomes are identified, and are developing a strategic approach.
	Regular physical activity has demonstrable health benefits including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in general and of coronary heart disease mortality in particular, preventing or delaying the development of high blood pressure, helping to control weight and diabetes, reducing the risk of falls and accidents and reducing the risk of depression.
	The NHS Plan, the Cancer Plan and the National Service Frameworks for Coronary Heart Disease and Older People all include action at national and local levels to increase physical activity.
	The Committee of Public Accounts hearing on the National Audit Office report Tackling Obesity in England took place on 23 April 2001. Its recommendations are expected shortly and we will be considering future work on physical activity in the light of these.

Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy

Baroness Massey of Darwen: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy will publish its first annual report.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy published its first annual report on 30 November 2001.
	This is a very comprehensive report and we commend the advisory group on the valuable work it has undertaken since it was formed. We welcome the advisory group's acknowledgement of the significant progress made to date across government on implementing our Teenage Pregnancy Strategy. We recognise that, as with all long-term strategies, we must sustain our action and commitment if we are to achieve the strategy's goals. The report contains 49 specific recommendations on potential areas for further action and we will give these our full and careful consideration. We will aim to publish a detailed response to the report by next spring.